Page 11 of Too Far To Sea
“You don’t even have a couch. Oh, but we do have a private hot tub. If it will help your foot, come use it.”
“I may take you up on that. Today is my last ice day.” Dana pulled out her key card. “I may have to call you though. I bet my card won’t access that area.”
“Just call or text.”
“I need to purchase a shipboard Wi-Fi package. I was counting on the access with the suite. If Mom will pay me the difference, I’ll get it today. I know this room was less than my portion of the Diamond Suite.
Cheyanne’s eyes widened. “Wait. What? You paid for part of the suite and donated your miles?”
“Yes.”
“All the other bridesmaids only paid a thousand for the trip. Daddy covered the rest. This is so wrong.”
“I don’t care.” Or she’d try not to care about the inequity. It was only money. The Ogilvies and their children had taught her money wasn’t as valuable as love. Confronting Sheila was likely to result in no refund and even less love. “You know I would do anything to be here.”
Chey hugged her. “Don’t you dare make me cry. Chandler hates it when I do.”
Dana released her sister. “I know this sounds paranoid, but will you check to make sure I have the right dress?”
“Oh no, if Mom...” Cheyanne clapped a hand to her mouth.
“I hung it in the closet.”
Cheyanne crossed the few feet to the closet and pulled out the sage dress. “It’s perfect.”
“Great,” Dana said with a sigh of relief. “I have this nightmare of Sheila hijacking our emails.”
“Mom is not that tech savvy.” Cheyanne pulled out her phone and started tapping. “Speaking of which...I have a couple thousand in my bridal fund left since Chandler’s family paid for so much. There. Consider that pay back. We both know Mom won’t refund you a penny.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“Seriously? Yes. I vowed not to be a bridezilla and so far I think I’ve done pretty good. There was a moment when...” Cheyanne waved her hand in front of her face, pushing the memory aside. “Mom doesn’t get to play her games at my wedding even if she is being a, what did you call her, Motherzilla?”
“Pretty much?” asked Dana, trying not to smirk.
“A little. I may have wished for a moment they kicked Mom off the plane. She would have missed the ship. At least she and Daddy are in a different part of the boat. She doesn’t have access to my suite either. Daddy said he’d keep her away.” Chey giggled. Unlike Dana, she had a good relationship with Mitchell. His best character feature was that he had been too busy to try to take Dana’s father’s place in her life. When he wasn’t working, Cheyanne was his world, even more so than Sheila.
“Alright, I’ll take your money,” Dana sighed dramatically. “But only because you insist and I am petty too.”
Cheyanne’s phone pinged. “They are serving dinner in the suite. Do you want to come?”
“I’m sure they only have enough portions for the six of you.”
Her sister’s arms dropped to her side. “Probably right.”
“That is okay. I can go to the buffet and have unlimited desserts.”
“As if you would.”
“You never know.” Dana raised a brow to tease her sister. She looked at her pink paper. “It looks like I get to eat with you tomorrow night. Private banquet at the Ocean’s Edge Restaurant.”
“Have you seen the photos of it? I love the ice sculptures and everything. Formal just the way Daddy likes it.” Cheyanne waved and closed the door behind her.
Dana’s stomach rumbled, perhaps she should have two desserts. Using the crutches was bound to burn extra calories. And she could eat away her disappointment in finding a handsome man who was 100% off limits.
5
McKay leanedback in the security office chair, his eyes glued to the CCTV monitors. Alvaro had assigned him to keep an eye on Miss Knight until they heard from Hastings confirming her story. The captain had left port only ten minutes late, after exclaiming that the sweet woman on crutches couldn’t be a threat to his ship. McKay watched her leave her room and head to the buffet. One of the dining rooms closer would have been a better choice, as it didn’t require reservations, although it had a long wait time. He shook his head. Not his job to choose her dining options, just observe.
